A 33-year-old man has been arrested following reports of indecent exposure in Colchester city centre during the early hours of Sunday morning.

The incident occurred at around 3:45am in Red Lion Walk, when two women approached Essex Police officers on patrol to report a man exposing himself.

The man had already left the area when the officers were notified, but a swift investigation was launched by the city centre policing team. Officers began gathering evidence immediately, with support also offered to the two women involved.

Later the same day, a suspect of “significant interest” was identified and arrested on suspicion of exposure and voyeurism. He remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

Acting Detective Sergeant Callum Wilkinson of Colchester CID praised the two women who came forward and the rapid response of the officers.

“I’d like to thank the two women who came forward to alert officers in the city centre in the early hours of this morning,” he said.

“It’s as a result of their reports that the officers were able to work incredibly quick to identify a man and, ultimately, make a significant arrest today.

“Our city centre is lively and attracts a lot of people, especially on weekends, and no one should have to tolerate the kind of behaviour which was reported.

“City centre team officers primarily work to make sure everyone is safe from harm, but when incidents do happen, no matter what time of the day, they work determinedly to identify people we believe to be involved and take them off the streets.”

Essex Police are continuing their investigation and have urged anyone with further information or who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. Witnesses can contact police on 101 or report online at www.essex.police.uk, quoting the incident number from 13 April.